_There was a certain man in Cesarea_ That is, Cesarea of Palestine, (of which see note on Acts 8:40,) where Philip had been and preached before, and where, therefore, the doctrine of salvation by faith in Christ was not quite unknown. It had been preached, however, by him, as it was now at Jerusalem... [ Continue Reading ]
_He saw_ At a time, it seems, when engaged in secret devotion; _in a vision_ Not in a trance, like Peter; _evidently_ Φανερως, manifestly and plainly, so as to leave him, though not accustomed to things of this kind, no room to suspect any imposition; _about the ninth hour_ That is, about three in t... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the angel was departed, he called_, &c. He was obedient to the heavenly vision, without dispute or delay, and sent forthwith to Joppa to fetch Peter to him. Had he himself only been concerned, he might have gone to Joppa to Peter; but he had a family, and kinsmen and friends, (Acts 10:24,) a l... [ Continue Reading ]
_On the morrow, as they went_ For they set out too late to reach the place that night; _Peter went up upon the house-top to pray_ It has often been observed, in the course of these notes, that the houses in Judea had flat roofs, on which people walked for the sake of taking the air, and where they c... [ Continue Reading ]
_And saw heaven opened_ While he lay in a trance, the heaven appeared to be opened above him, to signify the opening of a mystery that had been hid. _And a certain vessel_ Or utensil; (for the word σκευος, here used, extends to all sorts of instruments, and every part of household furniture, of whic... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the voice spake the second time_ When God commands a strange, or seemingly improper thing, the first objection frequently finds pardon. But it ought not to be repeated. This doubt and delay of Peter, however, had several good effects. Hereby the will of God, on this important point, was made mo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now while Peter doubted in himself_ He did not doubt, that it was a heavenly vision; all his doubt was concerning the meaning of it. Christ generally reveals his will to his people by degrees, and not all at once: he leaves them to doubt a while, and to ruminate upon a matter, before he makes it fu... [ Continue Reading ]
_While Peter thought on the vision_ Was meditating on what he had seen and heard; _the Spirit said unto him_ God, by his Spirit, suggested to his mind, as manifestly as if he had whispered in his ear, (as he spake to Samuel, 1 Samuel 9:15;) _Behold three men seek thee; arise therefore_ &c. Delay not... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then called he them in, and lodged them_ Or, hospitably entertained them that night. He did not bid them go to an inn, and refresh or repose themselves at their own charge, but was himself at the charge of entertaining them at his own quarters. He lodged them, though they were Gentiles, to show how... [ Continue Reading ]
_As Peter was coming in_ Cornelius, who had been expecting him, probably with some impatience, longing to know what that important doctrine was, which an angel had told him he should hear from him; _met him, and fell down at his feet_ Expressing thus his reverence for one, in so eminent a sense, the... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he said, Ye know how it is an unlawful thing_, &c. A thing not allowed by the Jews; _for a man that is a Jew_ A native Jew, as I am; _to keep company_ with, _or come unto one of another nation_ A stranger, and an uncircumcised Gentile. This was not made unlawful by the law of God, but by the pr... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting_ The first of these days he had the vision; the second, his messengers came to Joppa; on the third, Peter set out; and on the fourth, came to Cesarea; _until this hour_ Cornelius does not intend to declare by this how long he had fasted; but he tells... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Peter opened his mouth_ Addressed himself to them, with a seriousness and solemnity answerable to so great an occasion; _and said, Of a truth I perceive_ More clearly than ever, from such a concurrence of circumstances; _that God is no respecter of persons_ Is not partial in his love. The word... [ Continue Reading ]
_The word_ Message, or doctrine; _which God sent unto the children of Israel_ When he sent his Son into the world; _preaching_ Proclaiming by him, and his apostles and evangelists, _peace_ Between God and man, whether Jew or Gentile; _by_ Or through; _Jesus Christ: he is Lord of all_ Not of the Jews... [ Continue Reading ]
_And we_ His apostles, of whom I have the honour and happiness to be one; _are witnesses of all things which he did_ Having been present when he did them; _both in the land of the Jews_ In all parts of Judea; _and_ particularly _in Jerusalem_ Their capital city; for we attended him in all the progre... [ Continue Reading ]
_To him give all the prophets witness_ Speaking to heathen, he does not mention the name of any one prophet in particular; but, after having spoken of Christ's person, miracles, and resurrection, contents himself with informing them, in general terms, that there were many prophets in former ages who... [ Continue Reading ]
_While Peter yet spake_ Or, _was yet speaking; these words_ Even before he had finished, and without the imposition of his hands on their heads; _the Holy Ghost fell_ On Cornelius, and _on all them which heard_ Or, _were hearing; the word_ Thus were they consecrated to God, as the first-fruits of th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized_, &c. Peter, yielding to the force of evidence, however contrary to his former prejudices, with great propriety asks this question. He does not say, They have the baptism of the Spirit, therefore they do not need baptism with water. But ju... [ Continue Reading ]